El Nino may trigger 39% rainfall deficit this season: Naidu
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has warned of a significant rainfall deficit this season due to the El Niño effect. He has directed officials to prioritize water storage in reservoirs to ensure drinking water security and support agricultural needs.
Why it matters
Climate-driven water scarcity poses a major threat to regional agriculture and public water supply, requiring proactive government management.
Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Saturday flagged the possibility of a 39% deficit in rainfall this season compared to normal levels, with August alone likely to record a 56% deficit owing to the impact of El Niño.
Addressing a review meeting on Jaladhara Jala Harati, Mr. Naidu said the State normally received 867 mm of rainfall between June and December, but only 525 mm was expected to be recorded this season, according to current estimates.
He said the El Niño effect had also impacted reservoir storage levels, with the river basins in the State currently holding only 563.05 TMC ft of water, compared with 825.67 TMC ft during the corresponding period last year. Groundwater levels were also likely to decline further from this month, he said.
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